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Some like to downplay downtown retail but shopping brings people to The City-in SFs case, by the tens of thousands a day.
I consider shopping is a relevant metric in terms of the vibrancy and appeal of a city's downtown. And in this discussion, SF has a significant edge over Philly when it comes to DT shopping.
Surprised SF is losing this. 3 years ago, this would have been a SF landslide. I guess the Philly boosters over the years have really done a great job at promoting the city.
Yeah, in real life however it's different:
Population Growth 2010-2015
San Francisco +59,621...+7.32%
Philadelphia +41,436...+2.68%
Population Density 2010...2015...5 yr growth
San Francisco 17,500...18,800...+1,300
Philadelphia 11,400...11,700...+300
Population Growth 2010-2015
San Francisco +59,621...+7.32%
Philadelphia +41,436...+2.68%
Population Density 2010...2015...5 yr growth
San Francisco 17,500...18,800...+1,300
Philadelphia 11,400...11,700...+300
though these are not DT populations
I believe that DT adds were higher in Philly recently but both are close in this regard
If you look at the core 50 miles (size of SF) they are very close with a slight edge to Philly on density though the highest density areas of SF in Chinatown and the tenderloin are higher then the highest Philly density in Rittenhouse and Washington West. Oddly whereas SF is generally perceived as a more desirable city its highest density is not in the most desirable areas whereas Rittenhouse and Wash west are two of the more desirable areas of Philly
Shopping: Preferred Philly's, SF seems to have taken really strong turns towards upscale shopping that is available in any upscale shopping district.
Outside of the island of Manhattan, only 1 other downtown in the US is on par with the shopping in downtown SF( Chicago) so this notion that such shoppong is found in 'any' upscale shopping district is laughable because there are only about 4-5 cities in the nation with such districts located downtown.
If we're defining downtown loosely, it can be argued that Chicago and Boston are #1 and #2 respectively. For locals who don't work in Midtown Manhattan or the Financial District, there's less reason to visit. I can't tell you how rarely I shopped, dined or partied in midtown or the FD. My NYC was pretty much Manhattan between 14th and Canal, and a handful of Brooklyn Neighborhoods. While I never worked in downtown Chicago or Boston, I found myself using both fairly frequently.
Chicagoans who don't work downtown still shop in the loop and Mag Mile. They utilize Grant and Millennium Parks, as well as the downtown portion of Lakeshore. Most of the museums are downtown. And if we're including The South Loop, River North, River West, and The Gold Coast, a good portion of Chicago's nightlife is downtown.
Downtown Boston already includes Chinatown, which makes it a dining destination. The area really shines if you're willing to include the Back Bay, which is the city's retail hub, as well as one of its nicer residential neighborhoods. I think its inclusion is reasonable, since it housed Boston's primary rail station. The neighborhood also houses a fair amount of Boston's terrible nightlife (the Alley, ugh), but it still counts. Adding the Back Bay also nets you Boston Common and the Public Garden.
If you're defining downtown loosely then pretty much everything south of 63rd street in Manhattan is downtown.
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